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LeBron James was aware his incredible streak of scoring in double figures was in danger. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.

The right decision involved passing the rock – so he did. With that selfless act, his remarkable run was over.

LeBron's astounding run of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king finished with eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' close victory over the Toronto Raptors. He made the clutch helper, feeding teammate Rui Hachimura to knock down a triple as time expired.

“None,” James replied after being questioned on the record concluding. “The team got the victory.”

An Unselfish Play Delivers Victory

James could have sought to clinch the game – while also extending the streak – on the final possession, instead, he decided to dish the ball to his teammate on the wing. Hachimura sank it, prompting James exulted triumphantly.

It's about playing basketball the proper way. You always make the right play,” James remarked. “That’s just been my philosophy. That’s how I was taught to play. I’ve done that for two decades.”

He is very conscious exactly how many points he's scored during a game,” said the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done so many times.”

The Record's End Game

James re-entered the contest for the final time with under five and a half minutes to go, the win along with the historic run both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He managed a basket at 1:46 left to knot the score but then missed a 14-footer with 1:01 left which could have pushed him into double figures.

He avoided taking another shot – even though he had a chance. Austin Reaves found him with a few seconds left, but James opted to make the extra pass instead.

“The basketball gods, when you play it the right way, they will bless you,” Redick stated.

The History of a Monumental Run

James's streak started back in January 2007. It was, by far the greatest such streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman had the fourth-longest run of 575 games.

“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” remarked Lakers center Jake LaRavia.

He simply plays the game of basketball. The chance was there but because of who he is on the court and his personality as a person, he chose the team play, dished to Hachimura and we won the victory.”

Getting to ten points was usually an afterthought long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

But two such single-digit games through three quarters took place just days before: He recorded nine going into the fourth against Dallas on 28 November, then had six points before the fourth quarter against Phoenix on Monday night.

He succeeded in extend the streak against the Suns. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced regardless.

I only ever make the correct play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James said. When you make the smart play, the game gods forever giving back to me.”